Charles knew that Benjamin was leaving in the morning.
He would not see him for some time — not while he traveled with Sofia and Zaid to celebrate their engagement across the kingdoms. The other royals were not making the trip. It had to be that way, for Sofia's safety.
And Benjamin understood that. But the knowing didn't make it easier.
It had taken considerable restraint from Charles to behave as though he knew nothing — in front of Shirin, in front of Bjorn. Benjamin knew Ara had told him about the incident. But Charles hadn't brought it up tonight, and Benjamin was grateful for that. He wasn't ready to revisit it. Not on a night like this.
Charles watched him. Benjamin could feel it — the long, quiet attention, the way Charles's eyes traced the line of his neck. Benjamin knew what he was thinking.
